Truck mounted crane



TRUCK MOUNTED CRANE Filed Aug. 16, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 N INVENTORS I\ J GERichagds m ATTORNEYS June 1951 G. E. RICHARDS ET AL 2,557,466

TRUCK MOUNTED CRANE Filed Aug. 16, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 2 18 INVENTORS Glikz'cbarq':

EQSlandnnj BY Z Z ATTORNEYS June 19, 1951 G. E, RICHARDS ETAL 2,557,466

TRUCK MOUNTED CRANE Filed Aug. 16, 1947 3 Sheets$heet 3 INVENTORS G, E Richards 2 F. asfandring I BY M ATTORNEYS Patented June 19, 1951 1 I OFFICE 7 2,557,466 1 TRUCKMOUNTED CRANE George E. Richards and Francis 0. Standring,

. Sacramento, Calif.

. Application August 16, 1947, Serial No. 769,020

This invention is directed to, and it is an object to provide, a novel, truck mounted crane arranged for movement between a folded trans-f port position extending lengthwise of thetruck, and an erected working position upstanding from the truck.

While adaptable to many uses, the crane is especially designed for neon sign placement or the like; the crane being mounted in connection with a frame suitable for conveniently carrying assembled neon signs. 7 I

Another object of the invention is to provide a truck mounted crane which includes a mast secured at its lower end, by a double swivel joint, to the supporting frame for swinging motion lengthwise of the truck to fold said mast to transport position, and for outward lateral swinging motion, when erected, to gain desired reach.

A further object of the invention is to provide a truck mounted crane which includes a fluid pressure actuated power cylinder connected to the mast in a manner to to control its lowering motion.

An additional object of the 'invention'is to provide the mast with a laterally inwardly projecting arm, on its lower end portion, releasably latched in a manner to prevent lateral swinging of the mast during erection or folding of the latter; such arm also serving to guide the cable which controls the reach of the mast when erected.

It is also an object to provide-a truck mounted crane which can be erected, or folded, easily and quickly; such crane being simple, practical,

and convenient, yet exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed. 1 I I These objects are accomplished by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts i as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a truck with the crane mounted thereon; folded position. I I

-Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the crane erected. r

Fig. 3 is a rear end elevation showing the crane as initially erected in full lines, and ina reach or working position in dotted lines.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view illustrating the loose-play cradle with which the lateral arm on the mast cooperates during erecting or folding operations. a P Referring now more particularlyto the charthe crane being in erect the same, and

acters of reference on the drawings, the crane is here shown as mounted in connection with a truck, indicated generally at I, said truck including a bed 2. An elongated skeleton type .supporting frame, indicated generally at 3, is

mounted on the truck I and extends lengthwise thereof, being supported from the bed 2 and the front bumper B. The top of the supporting frame 3 is horizontal and extends above the cab l of the truck I.

The numeral 5 indicates a rigid elongated mast of substantially the same length as the supporting frame 3; such mast being attached at its lower end to one rear top corner 6 of the frame 3 by means of a double swivel joint 1.

The mast 5 is thus mounted for swinging motion, about an axis 8, from a folded longitudinally extending transport position, as in Fig. 1, to an erected working position, as in Figs. 2 and 3; said mast then being laterally outwardly swingable, about an axis 9, to increase the reach of the crane. When in its folded, longitudinally extending transport position, the mast 5 is carried, at its forward end portion, in a cradle H] on the front end of the supporting frame 3.

The mast 5 is erected by means of a fluid pressure actuated power cylinder II, disposed 'in substantially the same vertical plane as the mast and connected between a web I2 on the mast adjacent, but short of, its lower end, and a universal joint I3 fixed on the frame 3 some distance below the top thereof and ahead of the axis 8. By attaching the cylinder II to the frame with the universal joint I3, the cylinder does not limit or restrict laterally outward swinging of the mast 5 about the axis 9. The cylinder I II is contracted when the mast is folded, andas is obvious-extension of the cylinder II, by application of fluid pressure thereto, forces the mast 5 upwardly to its erected position. Fluid pressure is supplied to the cylinder II through the medium of a conduit I 4 which leads from a hand pump I 5 on the bed 2 of the truck. This hand pump I5 includes a suitable valve arrangement whereby the fluid can be bled back from the cylinder II to permit controlled lowering of the mast 5.

The extent to which the cylinder I I may swing the mast 5 is limited by a chain I6; i. e. the chain stops motion of the mast as it reaches vertical, and pressureis maintained in the cylinder II until a stay rod I1 is coupled between an ear I8 on the mast intermediate its ends, and another ear I9 on the supporting frame 3 some distance ahead orthe mast but alined therewith lengt wise of the trunk. The connection of the stay rod 11 with the ear I8 is made before the mast is erected.

The stay rod I1 is wholly detachable, and for transport is carried alongside the supporting frame 3, in the manner shown in Fig. 1, by means of carrier elements 20.

Closely adjacent its lower end the mast is fitted with a rigid, laterally inwardly projecting arm 2| which is carried or latched within a loose-play cradle 22 on top of the frame 3 adjacent the side opposite the double swivel joint I. A removable cross pin 23 intersects the cradle above the arm 2| to releasably maintain the. latter against escape when the mast 5 is in folded position, or is being moved between folded and erected position. This prevents any lateral swinging of the mast 5 when it is folded, or being erected. After the mast is erected and the stay rod I! connected, the cross pin 23 is withdrawn to permit the arm 2| to swing out of the cradle 22 upon lateral swinging or tilting of the mast to increase its reach during use thereof.

The laterally outward swinging of the mast 5 is controlled by a cable 24 which leads downwardly from a cross head 25 on the upper end Of the mast, extending through a guide 26 on the free end of the arm 2|. Below the guide 26 the cable 24 couples to a hand winch 21, which winch is normally braked. The winch 21, which is hand operated, thus controls the reach of the mast 5. At the end opposite the cable 24 the cross head 25 is connected to a block and tackle unit 28 which includes a load engaging hook 29 and a pull reach 30 adapted to be manipulated by the operator from the ground.

When the mast 5 is in a laterally outwardly disposed working position, the arm 2| swings upwardly, but maintains the cable 24 in effective pull or tilt control relation to said mast.

At its upper end portion the mast 5 is formed with an upwardly opening socket 3| and an alined sleeve 32 thereabove for the reception of a removable mast extension, indicated in dotted lines at 33.

With the above described truck-mounted crane, the same is capable of being erected for use, or folded for transport, readily and conveniently, and when erected, the crane provides an effective device for the handling of structural material, such as neon signs which must be lifted to substantial heights.

As the mast 5 extends along the frame 3 on top and adjacent one side thereof, the remainderof the top of the frame, which is horizontal, relatively wide, and elongated, provides a very satisfactory structure for carrying a load, such as a neon sign.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that there has been produced such a. device as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention, as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, the following is claimed as new and useful, and upon which Letters Patent are desired:

1. A truck mounted crane comprising a supporting frame adapted to be mounted. on a truck, a mast, a connection unit securing the mast at its lower end to the supporting frame for swinging motion lengthwise of the truck between an erected position and a folded, longitudinal transport position, or for swinging motion in one direction laterally of the truck between said erected position and an outwardly inclined working position, selectively, power means operative to erect the mast from folded transport position, and means to maintain the mast erected and laterally swingably adjustable; said last named means including a detachable, diagonal stay connected between the mast at a point some distance above its lower end, and another point on the support ing frame ahead of said connection unit, a cable leadingv downward from the mast at an outward incline in the opposite direction laterally of the truck with respect to said lateral swinging of the mast, and a winch on the frame to which the cable connects.

2. A truck mounted crane comprising a supporting frame adapted to be mounted on a truck, a mast, a connection unit securing the mast at its lower end to the supporting frame for swinging motion lengthwise of the truck between an erected position and a folded, longitudinal transport position, or for swinging motion in one direction laterally of the truck between said erected position and an outwardly inclined working position, selectively, power means operative to erect the mast from folded transport position, and means to maintain the mast erected and laterally swingably adjustable; said last named means including a detachable, diagonal stay connected between the mast at a point some distance above its lower end, and another point on the supporting frame ahead of said connection unit, a cable leading downward from the mast at an outward incline in the opposite direction laterally of the truck with respect to said lateral swinging of the mast, a winch on the frame to which the cable connects, an arm fixed on the mast adjacent its lower end and projecting laterally of the truck in said opposite direction, and a guide on the arm with which the cable engages above the winch.

3. A truck mounted crane comprising a supporting frame adapted to be mounted on a truck, a mast, a connection unit securing the mast at its lower end to the supporting frame for swinging motion lengthwise of the truck between an erected position and a folded, longitudinal transport position, or for swinging motion in one direction laterally of the truck between said erected position and an outwardly inclined working position, selectively, said connection unit being of a double-swivel joint, a fluid pressure actuated power cylinder pivotally connected between the mast adjacent but short of its lower end and a point on the frame ahead of said joint and below the mast in its folded transport position. means to actuate said power cylinder to cause raising or controlled lowering of the mast, and means to maintain said mast erected and laterally swingably adjustable.

4. A truck mounted crane comprising a sup porting frame adapted to be mounted on a truck, a mast, a connection unit securing the mast at its lower end to the supporting frame for swinging motion lengthwise of the truck between an erect.- ed position and a folded, longitudinal transport position, or for swinging motion in one direction laterally of the truck between said erected position and an outwardly inclined working position,

16 selectively, said connection unit being a doubleswivel joint, a fluid pressure actuated power cylinder pivotally connected between the mast adjacent but short of its lower end and a point on the frame ahead of said joint and below the mast in its folded transport position, means to actuate said power cylinder to cause raising or controlled lowering of the mast, a cable leading downward from the mast at an outward incline in the opposite direction laterally of the truck with respect to said lateral swinging of the mast, and a winch on the frame to which the cable connects,

5. A truck mounted crane comprising a supporting frame adapted to be mounted on a truck, a mast, a connection unit securing the mast at its lower end to the supporting frame for swinging motion lengthwise of the truck between an erected position and a folded, longitudinal transport position, or for swinging motion in one direction laterally of the truck between said erected position and an outwardly inclined working position, selectively, said connection unit being of a doubleswivel joint, 2. fluid pressure actuated power cylinder pivotally connected between the mast adjacent but short of its lower end and a point on the frame ahead of said joint and below the mast in its folded transport position, means to actuate said power cylinder to cause raising or controlled lowering of the mast, a cable leading downward from the mast at an outward incline in the opposite direction laterally of the truck with respect to said lateral swinging of the mast, and a winch on the frame to which the cable connects; there being an arm fixed on the mast adjacent its lower end and projecting laterally of the truck in said opposite direction, and a guide on the arm with which the cable engages above the winch.

GEORGE E. RICHARDS.

FRANCIS O. STANDRING.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 350,704 Stretch Oct. 12, 1886 1,337,400 Garson Apr. 20, 1920 1,611,271 Hammond et al. Dec. 21, 1926 1,649,574 Conway Nov. 15, 1927 1,817,392 Ohliger Aug. 4, 1931 2,151,057 Suth Mar. 21, 1939 2,181,253 Willis NOV. 28, 1939 2,364,851 Johansen Dec. 12, 1944 2,394,314 Le Tourneau Feb. 5, 1946 2,413,302 Farrell Dec. 31, 1946 

